U.S. patent application number 13/386438 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for air-conditioning device.
Invention is credited to Hiroyuki Iida, Kazuyuki Kishimoto.
Application Number | 20120122389 13/386438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43529105 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120122389 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kishimoto; Kazuyuki ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
AIR-CONDITIONING DEVICE
Abstract
An air-conditioning device can generate ions without interfering
with a flow of air from an air outlet, and allows a user to easily
change an ion generating electrode. The air-conditioning device
includes a wind direction changing plate in an air outlet that
blows out air; and an ion generating unit 40 detachably mounted to
the wind direction changing plate. A recess is formed in the wind
direction changing plate. The recess is larger than the ion
generating unit in one direction so that the ion generating unit
can be fitted in the recess only in a predetermined position. A
guide mechanism is provided that slidably holds the ion generating
unit in the recess and slides the ion generating unit toward one
end in one direction to secure the ion generating unit to the wind
direction changing plate.
Inventors: |
Kishimoto; Kazuyuki; (Osaka,
JP) ; Iida; Hiroyuki; (Osaka, JP) |
Family ID: |
43529105 |
Appl. No.: |
13/386438 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
May 31, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/059185 |
371 Date: |
January 23, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
454/284 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 1/0007 20130101;
F24F 8/192 20210101; F24F 8/30 20210101; F24F 13/20 20130101; A61L
9/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
454/284 |
International
Class: |
F24F 13/10 20060101
F24F013/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2009 |
JP |
2009-179016 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning device comprising: a wind direction changing
plate provided in an air outlet that blows out air; and an ion
generating unit detachably mounted to the wind direction changing
plate, wherein a recess is formed in the wind direction changing
plate, and the ion generating unit is mounted so as to be fitted in
the recess.
2. The air-conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the
recess is formed to be larger than the ion generating unit in one
direction so that the ion generating unit can be fitted in the
recess only in a predetermined position away from one of opposite
ends of the recess in one direction, a guide mechanism is provided
that slidably holds the ion generating unit fitted in the recess,
and the guide mechanism slides the ion generating unit fitted in
the recess toward one end in one direction to secure the ion
generating unit to the wind direction changing plate.
3. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein the
ion generating unit fitted in the recess is slid toward one end in
one direction, and a movement regulating member is inserted in a
space created between an inner surface on the other end of the
recess in one direction and the ion generating unit to regulate
sliding of the ion generating unit.
4. The air-conditioning device according to claim 3, wherein the
movement regulating member is provided so as to be pivotably
switched between an insertion position for regulating movement of
the ion generating unit and a release position for releasing
regulation of the movement of the ion generating unit.
5. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein the
guide mechanism includes a protrusion formed on either opposite
side surfaces of the ion generating unit in one direction or
opposite inner surfaces of the recess in one direction, and a guide
section that is formed on the other and slidably engages the
protrusion, the guide section includes a lateral guiding path
provided in the one direction, and a vertical guiding path having
one end connected to a midpoint of the lateral guiding path
perpendicularly to the lateral guiding path, and the other end
opening in a peripheral edge of the recess, the protrusion can be
introduced through the vertical guiding path into the lateral
guiding path, and when the ion generating unit is moved from one
end toward the other end of the recess in one direction to abut
against the other end with the protrusion being introduced in the
lateral guiding path, the protrusion passes over the vertical
guiding path, and stops in the lateral guiding path on an opposite
side.
6. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein a pair
of connectors that electrically connect the wind direction changing
plate and the ion generating unit are formed on one end surface of
the ion generating unit in one direction and an inner surface on
one end of the recess in one direction, the connector includes a
male connector and a female connector, and when the ion generating
unit is slid toward one end of the recess in one direction, the
male connector engages the female connector.
7. The air-conditioning device according to claim 6, wherein the
male connector is formed on one end surface of the ion generating
unit in one direction, and an electrode terminal is formed on a
bottom surface of the male connector.
8. The air-conditioning device according to claim 7, wherein a
protective cover that prevents a finger from entering the male
connector is formed on a top surface of the male connector.
9. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein
positioning indications are provided on both the ion generating
unit and the recess so as to face each other when the ion
generating unit is placed in a position to be fitted in the
recess.
10. The air-conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein the
ion generating unit includes a casing, and an ion generating
element housed in the casing, the casing includes a lower casing
housed in the recess with the ion generating unit being mounted to
the wind direction changing plate, and an upper casing protruding
from a surface of the wind direction changing plate and having a
space therein, the upper casing has openings on upstream and
downstream sides in accordance with a direction of wind flowing
along the surface of the wind direction changing plate, and the ion
generating element generates ions in the space in the upper casing.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning device
such as an air blower, an air conditioner, an air cleaner, a
humidifier, a dehumidifier, a cooler, or a heater, each including a
wind direction changing device in an air outlet that blows out
air.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In recent years, value-added air conditioners including an
ion generating device that generates positive and negative ions by
discharge have come on the market. Positive and negative ions
disappear when colliding with an obstacle while being sent by a
flow of air.
[0003] Thus, an ion generating device is desirably mounted on a
downstream side of a louver provided in an air outlet in an air
conditioner, and an ion generating device provided slightly above
the air outlet or an ion generating device including an ion
generating electrode that generates ions on a louver surface as
disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In particular, in Patent
Document 1, a louver is located at a center of an air outlet, and
thus the ions generated on the louver surface can be smoothly
introduced into a flow of air, thereby increasing supply efficiency
of positive and negative ions. [0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-347264
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] Since an ion generating electrode applies a voltage to
generate ions, a small amount of ions may be generated depending on
use conditions (such as magnitude of the applied voltage or
operating time). However, in Patent Document 1, the ion generating
electrode and the louver are integrally formed, and it is difficult
to actually replace an ion generating electrode.
[0006] In view of the above, the present invention has an object to
provide an air-conditioning device that can generate ions without
interfering with a flow of air blown out from an air outlet, and
allows a user him/herself to easily replace an ion generating
electrode.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
provides an air-conditioning device including: a wind direction
changing plate provided in an air outlet that blows out air; and an
ion generating unit detachably mounted to the wind direction
changing plate, wherein a recess is formed in the wind direction
changing plate, and the ion generating unit is mounted so as to be
fitted in the recess.
[0008] According to the above configuration, an ion generating
electrode together with other components is housed in a casing and
unitized, and the unit is mounted so as to be fitted in the recess
formed in the wind direction changing plate. Thus, the
air-conditioning device is easy to handle, and a user him/herself
can replace the ion generating electrode.
[0009] Also, the ion generating unit is fitted in the recess, and
thus the ion generating unit hardly interferes with a flow of air
blown out from the air outlet. In this case, the wind direction
changing plate is formed to be thick to form the recess, and the
wind direction changing plate is formed to have a streamlined
sectional shape to allow air to be smoothly fed to a distance
without disturbing the flow of air blown out from the air
outlet.
[0010] In the invention, the recess is formed to be larger than the
ion generating unit in one direction so that the ion generating
unit can be fitted in the recess only in a predetermined position
away from one of opposite ends of the recess in one direction, a
guide mechanism is provided that slidably holds the ion generating
unit fitted in the recess, and the guide mechanism slides the ion
generating unit fitted in the recess toward one end in one
direction to secure the ion generating unit to the wind direction
changing plate.
[0011] Specifically, the ion generating unit may be detached from
the wind direction changing plate if being merely fitted in the
recess. However, as in the above configuration, the ion generating
unit fitted in the recess is slid perpendicularly to a fitting
direction to prevent the ion generating unit from being
detached.
[0012] The ion generating unit is preferably slid in parallel with
a pivot direction of the wind direction changing plate. This
prevents an influence of a pivot operation of the wind direction
changing plate such as displacement of a sliding position of the
ion generating unit.
[0013] Further, the ion generating unit fitted in the recess is
slid toward one end in one direction, and a movement regulating
member is inserted in a space created between an inner surface on
the other end of the recess in one direction and the ion generating
unit to regulate (lock) sliding of the ion generating unit, thereby
reliably preventing the ion generating unit from being detached
from the wind direction changing plate.
[0014] A method of inserting the movement regulating member in the
recess space is not limited, and for example, the movement
regulating member may be slidably provided so as to be advanced
into and retracted from the space. The movement regulating member
also may be provided so as to be pivotably switched between an
insertion position for regulating movement of the ion generating
unit and a release position for releasing regulation of the
movement of the ion generating unit.
[0015] As such, the operation of the movement regulating member is
the pivot operation different from the sliding operation of the ion
generating unit, and thus an operator can easily visually recognize
that the movement regulating member is in the release position.
Thus, the movement of the ion generating unit can be reliably
regulated while attention to switch the movement regulating member
to the insertion position is drawn.
[0016] When the ion generating unit has not moved to a
predetermined position, the movement regulating member hits the ion
generating unit and cannot be placed in the insertion position.
Thus, the movement regulating member also has a function of
ensuring that the ion generating unit has moved to the
predetermined position, by its being placed in the insertion
position. In particular, as described later, connection of a
connector can be reliably ensured in a case where the ion
generating unit is moved to the predetermined position to
electrically connect the connector.
[0017] The guide mechanism includes a protrusion formed on either
opposite side surfaces of the ion generating unit in one direction
or opposite inner surfaces of the recess in one direction, and a
guide section that is formed on the other and slidably engages the
protrusion, and the guide section includes a lateral guiding path
provided in the one direction, and a vertical guiding path having
one end connected to a midpoint of the lateral guiding path
perpendicularly to the lateral guiding path, and the other end
opening in a peripheral edge of the recess. In this case, the
protrusion can be introduced through the vertical guiding path into
the lateral guiding path. Specifically, the vertical guiding path
is a guiding path for the protrusion when the ion generating unit
is fitted in the recess, and the lateral guiding path is a guiding
path for the protrusion when the ion generating unit is slid.
[0018] In the above configuration, when the ion generating unit is
moved from one end toward the other end of the recess in one
direction to abut against the other end with the protrusion being
introduced into the lateral guiding path, the protrusion preferably
passes over the vertical guiding path, and stops in the lateral
guiding path on the side opposite to the side before movement when
seen from the vertical guiding path.
[0019] Specifically, if the ion generating unit is merely fitted in
the recess and secured, the vertical guiding path and the lateral
guiding path may be connected into an L shape. However, with such a
configuration, when the ion generating unit is detached from the
recess and the ion generating unit is slid toward the other end of
the recess to abut against the other end, the protrusion may slide
in the vertical guiding path and the ion generating unit may be
suddenly detached.
[0020] In contrast to this, in the present invention, the vertical
guiding path is connected to the midpoint of the lateral guiding
path, and thus when the protrusion abuts against the end of the
lateral guiding path, the protrusion has passed over the vertical
guiding path. Thus, the protrusion is kept held in the lateral
guiding path and is not detached from the recess. This does not
cause a situation in which the ion generating unit is suddenly
detached and an operator panics.
[0021] In this case, to detach the ion generating unit from the
recess, the ion generating unit moved in the lateral guiding path
to abut against the other end in one direction is slightly returned
toward one end, the protrusion is aligned with a connecting
position of the vertical guiding path, and the protrusion is drawn
out therefrom through the vertical guiding path. As such, in
detaching the ion generating unit from the recess, operation can be
safely performed even with careless handling. The detaching
operation needs to be consciously performed, and thus the
operator's attention can be drawn.
[0022] To generate ions from the ion generating unit, power needs
to be supplied to the ion generating unit. Thus, the present
invention adopts a configuration in which a pair of connectors that
electrically connect the wind direction changing plate and the ion
generating unit are formed on one end surface of the ion generating
unit in one direction and an inner surface on one end of the recess
in one direction, the connector includes a male connector and a
female connector, and when the ion generating unit is slid toward
one end of the recess in one direction, the male connector engages
the female connector.
[0023] According to the above configuration, the connectors can be
connected at the same time as the ion generating unit is slid in
the recess to mount the ion generating unit to the wind direction
changing plate. The movement regulating member described above is
placed in the insertion position, thereby allowing the connectors
to be secured in a connected state, and increasing safety.
[0024] In view of safety, for the connectors, it is preferable that
the male connector is formed on one end surface of the ion
generating unit in one direction, and the female connector is
formed on the inner surface on one end of the recess in one
direction. In this case, an electrode terminal is formed on a
bottom surface rather than a top surface of the male connector,
thereby avoiding a risk that a finger touches the electrode
terminal and receives an electric shock in attaching or detaching
the ion generating unit to and from the wind direction changing
plate.
[0025] Further, if a configuration is adopted in which with the ion
generating unit being fitted in the recess, a protective cover that
prevents a finger from entering the male connector is formed on the
top surface of the male connector, the risk of an electric shock
can be more reliably avoided.
[0026] When the ion generating unit is fitted in the recess by the
guide mechanism, it is sometimes difficult to find which position
in the recess the ion generating unit should be aligned with. Thus,
in the present invention, positioning indications are provided on
both the ion generating unit and the recess so as to face each
other when the ion generating unit is placed in a position to be
fitted in the recess. The positioning indication may be, for
example, a colored mark, or a solid indication such as
irregularities.
[0027] The ion generating unit includes a casing, and an ion
generating element housed in the casing, the casing includes a
lower casing housed in the recess with the ion generating unit
being mounted to the wind direction changing plate, and an upper
casing protruding from a surface of the wind direction changing
plate and having a space therein, the upper casing has openings on
upstream and downstream sides in accordance with a direction of
wind flowing along the surface of the wind direction changing
plate, and the ion generating element generates ions in the space
in the upper casing.
[0028] According to the above configuration, the ions are generated
in the space in the upper casing, and also the generated ions can
be introduced into the wind passing between the two openings and
smoothly released to an outside. Specifically, the space in the
upper casing has both a function as a space for generating ions and
a function as a ventilation path.
[0029] The ion generating unit may generate, for example, either
positive ions represented by H.sup.+(H.sub.2O).sub.m (m is an
arbitrary natural number) or negative ions represented by
O.sub.2.sup.-(H.sub.2O).sub.n (n is an arbitrary natural number).
One ion generating unit may alternately generate positive and
negative ions from the same ion generating section, but ion
generating units preferably separately generate positive and
negative ions.
[0030] When a positive ion generating section and a negative ion
generating section are separately formed as ion generating units,
the ion generating units are preferably placed with a space
therebetween in parallel with the direction of wind flowing along
the wind direction changing plate. This can prevent positive and
negative ions generated from the ion generating units from
contacting and reacting with each other and disappearing. The ion
generating unit may generate negative ions.
[0031] The wind direction changing plate described above may be,
specifically, a wind guide panel provided on a front side of the
air outlet as a part of a cabinet. In the air conditioner including
the wind guide panel, the wind direction changing plate may be an
auxiliary louver that changes a vertical angle according to an
position of the wind guide panel, and changes a vertical wind
direction while straightening the wind blown out from the air
outlet, and the ion generating unit may be provided on the
auxiliary louver.
[0032] The wind direction changing plate in the present invention
may be at least one of a group of a plurality of louvers provided
in an air outlet of a conventional air conditioner, and the ion
generating unit may be provided on the louver.
[0033] The air-conditioning device according to the present
invention may include, specifically, an air blower, an air
conditioner, a humidifier, a dehumidifier, an air cleaner, a
cooler, a heater, or the like.
Effects of the Invention
[0034] As described above, according to the present invention, the
recess is formed in the wind direction changing plate, and the ion
generating unit is mounted so as to be fitted in the recess. This
allows ions to be generated without interfering with a flow of air
blown out from the air outlet, and allows a user him/herself to
easily replace the ion generating electrode.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an indoor unit of an air
conditioner according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit when
a wind guide panel is closed;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the indoor unit when the
wind guide panel is opened downward;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the indoor unit when
the wind guide panel is opened upward;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an auxiliary louver;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view showing a state where
an ion generating unit is detached from the auxiliary louver;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing a state where
the ion generating unit is fitted in the auxiliary louver;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing a state where
the ion generating unit fitted in the auxiliary louver is slid and
secured;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a
connector portion in FIG. 7;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a
connector portion in FIG. 8;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view showing a state where
a movement regulating member is placed in a regulating
position;
[0046] FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing a state where
the ion generating unit is moved to abut in a detaching
direction;
[0047] FIG. 13 shows a function block of the ion generating
device;
[0048] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an ion generating
element;
[0049] FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view showing the ion generating
unit with an upper casing being removed; and
[0050] FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing an ion generating
unit of a different aspect from that in FIG. 15.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS
[0051] 1 heat exchanger [0052] 2 indoor fan [0053] 3 cabinet [0054]
4 air inlet [0055] 5 air outlet [0056] 6 air passage [0057] 7
filter [0058] 8 cleaning device [0059] 9 dust removing section
[0060] 10 filter moving path [0061] 20 wind guide panel [0062] 21
front panel [0063] 22 lower pivot [0064] 23 upper pivot [0065] 24
vertical louver [0066] 30 auxiliary louver [0067] 31 rotating shaft
[0068] 32 recess [0069] 33 positioning indication [0070] 34
protrusion [0071] 35 guide section [0072] 36 vertical guiding path
[0073] 37 lateral guiding path [0074] 38 movement regulating member
[0075] 40 ion generating unit [0076] 41 ion generating element
[0077] 42 casing [0078] 47 male connector [0079] 48 female
connector [0080] 49 protective cover [0081] 51 induction electrode
[0082] 52 discharge electrode [0083] 53 substrate [0084] 55
positive ion generating section [0085] 56 negative ion generating
section [0086] 57 ventilation path
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0087] Now, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a
case will be described where an indoor unit of a separate air
conditioner mainly having cooling and heating functions is used as
an air-conditioning device. FIG. 1 is an appearance perspective
view of an indoor unit of an air conditioner, and FIG. 2 is a
sectional view of the indoor unit in FIG. 1.
[0088] The indoor unit includes a heat exchanger 1 and an indoor
fan 2, which are housed in a cabinet 3. The cabinet 3 has a curved
surface from a front surface to a bottom surface. An air inlet 4 is
formed in an upper surface of the cabinet 3, and an air outlet 5 is
formed in the curved surface.
[0089] In the cabinet 3, an air passage 6 extending from the air
inlet 4 to the air outlet 5 is formed, and the heat exchanger 1 and
the indoor fan 2 are provided in the air passage 6. A filter 7 is
provided between the air inlet 4 and the heat exchanger 1 to remove
dust from indoor air sucked from the air inlet 4. A cleaning device
8 that cleans the filter 7 is provided.
[0090] The cleaning device 8 moves the filter 7 in the cabinet 3 to
pass through a dust removing section 9, and remove dust adhering to
the filter 7 in the dust removing section 9. On the front side in
the cabinet 3, a filter moving path 10 curved into a U shape in
side view is formed, and a moving section including a motor and
gears reciprocates the filter 7 along the filter moving path 10. In
the dust removing section 9, a rotating brush scrapes dust off the
passing filter 7, and a suction fan blows air substantially in
parallel with the filter 7 (in a lateral direction) to suck and
discharge the scraped dust.
[0091] A wind guide panel 20 that opens/closes the air outlet 5 is
provided on the curved surface of the cabinet 3. As shown in FIGS.
3 and 4, the wind guide panel 20 can be opened upward and downward
and is removable from the cabinet 3. Such a configuration is known,
and can be achieved by adopting a mechanism disclosed in, for
example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-63258.
[0092] The wind guide panel 20 is formed of one curved panel, and
has a width equal to that of the cabinet 3 and larger than that of
the air outlet 5. On the front surface of the cabinet 3, a front
panel 21 is formed from a middle in the front surface toward the
bottom surface in a one level lower position. Thus, a recessed
portion is formed in an entire width direction, and the wind guide
panel 20 is fitted in the recessed portion. An opening is formed in
the front panel 21 that forms the recessed portion, and the opening
is the air outlet 5. Thus, the wind guide panel 20 is placed
forward of the air outlet 5, and covers the air outlet 5 and the
front panel 21 around the air outlet 5. At this time, the wind
guide panel 20 is placed in a closed position shown in FIG. 2.
[0093] The wind guide panel 20 has an outer surface that forms a
smooth curved surface extending from the front surface to the
bottom surface of the cabinet 3. Specifically, the wind guide panel
20 is a member that constitutes a part of the front surface of the
cabinet 3. In other words, a part of a panel of the cabinet 3 is
used as the wind guide panel 20. Thus, the wind guide panel 20 is a
long panel having a longer entire length than a louver used in a
conventional air conditioner.
[0094] The wind guide panel 20 is pivoted in different directions
around upper and lower pivots and is opened upward or downward. An
upper pivot 23 and a lower pivot 22 are formed in parallel with a
lateral direction of the cabinet 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the wind
guide panel 20 is opened downward around the lower pivot 22 in a
cooling operation. In this downwardly opened position, the wind
guide panel 20 is connected to a lower wall of the air outlet 5,
and the wind guide panel 20 and an upper wall of the air outlet 5
constitute a long nozzle. The wind guide panel 20 guides cool air
obliquely upward, and the cool air blows out along a ceiling.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 4, in a heating operation, the wind guide
panel 20 is opened upward around the upper pivot 23. In this
upwardly opened position, the wind guide panel 20 closes the front
side of the air outlet 5, holds warm air blown out forward and
guides the warm air toward a floor surface. Also in an initial
stage of the cooling operation, the wind guide panel 20 is placed
in the upwardly opened position, and cool air is blown out toward
the floor surface for rapid cooling. As shown in FIG. 2, the wind
guide panel 20 is placed in a closed position when the operation is
stopped, covers the air outlet 5, and is integrated with the
cabinet 3.
[0096] In this embodiment, a vertical louver 24 and also an
auxiliary louver 30 are provided in the air outlet 5. The vertical
louver 24 changes its lateral angle to change a lateral direction
of wind. The auxiliary louver 30 is provided at an outlet portion
of the air outlet 5 on a front side of the vertical louver 24,
changes its vertical angle according to the position of the wind
guide panel 20 to straighten the wind and change a vertical
direction of wind W blown out from the air outlet 5. In this
embodiment, the auxiliary louver 30 is a wind direction changing
plate in the present invention, and an ion generating unit 40 is
detachably mounted to the auxiliary louver 30. The auxiliary louver
30 will be now described in detail.
[0097] As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary louver 30 is formed to
have a long plate shape in a lateral direction A and tapered front
and rear ends. Specifically, the auxiliary louver 30 has a
streamlined sectional shape in a fore/aft direction B. On a rear
end side (base end side) of the auxiliary louver 30, a rotating
shaft 31 having an axial direction in the lateral direction is
secured to shaft connecting sections formed at left and right ends.
The rotating shaft 31 is placed on an upper wall 5a of upper and
lower walls 5a and 5b that form an air passage 6 leading to the air
outlet 5, passes through left and right side walls of the air
outlet 5, and is rotatably bearing mounted. An unshown louver motor
is connected to an end of the rotating shaft 31, and the rotating
shaft 31 is rotatable by the louver motor.
[0098] In a lower surface of the auxiliary louver 30, three
recesses 32 are formed at intervals in the lateral direction, and
an ion generating unit 40 is detachably fitted in each recess 32.
The ion generating unit 40 fitted in the recess 32 is held by the
guide mechanism slidably between one and the other ends of the
recess 32 in one direction. A structure of the auxiliary louver 30
including the ion generating unit 40 will be now described in
detail. In FIGS. 5 to 12, a lower surface of the auxiliary louver
is shown upward. In this embodiment, the plurality of recesses 32
are formed in the auxiliary louver 30, but one recess 32 may be
formed.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 6, the recess 32 has a longer length in the
lateral direction A than the ion generating unit 40, and
substantially the same length in the fore/aft direction B as the
ion generating unit 40. Thus, when the ion generating unit is
fitted in the recess 32, only a slight gap is created therebetween
in the fore/aft direction B but a considerable space is created
therebetween in the lateral direction A.
[0100] The ion generating unit 40 fitted in the recess 32 is
slidable in the lateral direction A using the space created in the
lateral direction A. Specifically, in this embodiment, the lateral
direction A in the FIGS. 5 to 12 is a sliding direction (one
direction) of the ion generating unit 40, and of opposite ends of
the recess in the lateral direction, a left end is one end in one
direction, and a right end is the other end in one direction.
[0101] The ion generating unit 40 can be fitted and secured in the
recess 32 by the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism includes a
pair of protrusions 34 and 34 provided on opposite side surfaces
formed in the lateral direction (sliding direction) A in the ion
generating unit 40, and guide sections 35 that are formed in
opposite inner surfaces of the recess 32 in the lateral direction
A, and slidably engage the protrusions 34.
[0102] The guide section 35 includes a vertical guiding path 36
extending in a recess depth direction from a peripheral edge of the
recess, and a lateral guiding path 37 connected perpendicularly (in
the lateral direction A) to the vertical guiding path 36 on a back
side of the vertical guiding path 36. The vertical guiding path 36
and the lateral guiding path 37 are formed to be recessed in the
inner surface of the recess 32. More specifically, an upper end of
the vertical guiding path 36 is exposed to the peripheral edge of
the recess 32, and a recessed opening is formed therein. The
protrusion 34 can be introduced into the vertical guiding path 36
through the opening.
[0103] The lateral guiding path 37 includes a first lateral guiding
path 37a extending from the vertical guiding path 36 to left in the
lateral direction A, and a second lateral guiding path 37b
extending from the vertical guiding path 36 to right in the lateral
direction A, which is opposite to the direction of the first
lateral guiding path 37a. Specifically, the vertical guiding path
36 is formed to be connected to a midpoint of the lateral guiding
path 37 formed in the lateral direction A.
[0104] The vertical guiding path 36 is formed so that an opening
position at the upper end of the vertical guiding path 36 matches a
position of the protrusion 34 when the ion generating unit 40 is in
a position away from a left inner surface of the recess 32 (a
position close to a right inner surface of the recess 32 in this
embodiment). The ion generating unit 40 is pressed into the recess
32 in that position, and thus the protrusion 34 is introduced
through the vertical guiding path 36 into the lateral guiding path
37.
[0105] The forming position of the vertical guiding path 36 is not
limited to as long as the ion generating unit 40 is in a position
away from the left inner surface of the recess 32. Thus, for
example, when the ion generating unit 40 is positioned at the
center of the recess 32 in the lateral direction, the position of
the protrusion 34 can match the position of the opening of the
vertical guiding path 36. In order to minimize the length of the
recess 32 in the lateral direction A, the position of the
protrusion 34 preferably matches the position of the opening of the
vertical guiding path 36 when the ion generating unit 40 is in a
position close to the right inner surface of the recess 32.
[0106] A pair of connectors 47 and 48 for supplying power to the
ion generating unit are provided on a left end surface of the ion
generating unit 40 and the left inner surface of the recess 32.
More specifically, a male connector 47 for inputting power is
provided on a left end surface of the ion generating unit 40, and a
female connector 48 for supplying power is provided on the left
inner surface of the recess 32. The female connector 48 is
connected to a power supply mounted in the cabinet 3 via a lead
wire. The lead wire is routed from the cabinet 3 through the
rotating shaft 31 into the auxiliary louver 30. In this embodiment,
the first lateral guiding path 37a extends toward the female
connector 48.
[0107] When the ion generating unit 40 is secured to the recess 32
in the guide mechanism having the above configuration, first as
shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 34 is placed on the position of the
vertical guiding path 36 of the guide section 35 to insert the ion
generating unit 40 into the recess 32. The ion generating unit 40
and the peripheral edge of the recess 32 have triangular
positioning indications 33 and 33 so as to face each other when the
position of the protrusion 34 matches the position of the vertical
guiding path 36.
[0108] The positioning indications 33 and 33 are formed
protrudedly, and can be formed at the same time as a casing of the
ion generating unit 40 or the auxiliary louver 30 is formed.
[0109] When the ion generating unit 40 is fitted in the recess 32,
the protrusion 34 is guided through the vertical guiding path 36 to
the lateral guiding path 37. When the ion generating unit 40 is
slid from this state to the left in the lateral direction A, the
protrusion 34 slides in the first lateral guiding path 37a. As
such, vertical movement of the protrusion 34 is regulated by the
first lateral guiding path 37a, and thus the ion generating unit 40
is secured to the auxiliary louver 30 and prevented from being
detached. When the ion generating unit 40 reaches the left end of
the recess 32, the male connector 47 engages the female connector
48.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 8, when the ion generating unit 40 is moved
to the left end of the recess 32, a space is created between a
right end surface of the ion generating unit 40 and a right inner
surface of the recess 32 at the right end of the recess 32. In the
present invention, this space is filled with a movement regulating
member 38 to regulate movement of the ion generating unit 40.
[0111] Specifically, the movement regulating member 38 is provided
to face the recess 32 at the right end of the recess 32. The
movement regulating member 38 is rotatable around a rotating shaft
38a having an axial direction parallel to the lateral direction A
in a position close to a rear inner surface of the recess 32. The
movement regulating member 38 is provided so as to be pivotably
switched between an insertion position where the movement of the
ion generating unit 40 is regulated and a release position where
regulation of the movement of the ion generating unit is
released.
[0112] In FIG. 8, the movement regulating member 38 is in the
release position. As shown in FIG. 8, when the movement regulating
member 38 is in the release position, the movement regulating
member 38 is raised from the auxiliary louver 30, and thus the
movement regulating member 38 being in the release position can be
easily visually recognized, thereby preventing forgetting to switch
to the regulation position.
[0113] FIGS. 9 and 10 are partially enlarged sectional views
showing the connectors 47 and 48 in FIGS. 7 and 8. As shown, an
electrode terminal 47a of the male connector 47 is formed on a
bottom surface rather than a top surface of the connector, thereby
avoiding a risk that a finger touches the electrode terminal 47a
and receives an electric shock. An electrode terminal 48a of the
female connector 48 is formed on the bottom surface in the
connector.
[0114] On the top surface side (upper side) of the male connector
47, a protective cover 49 is formed that prevents a finger from
entering the male connector 47, and the risk of an electric shock
can be more reliably avoided. The protective cover 49 is formed so
that when the ion generating unit 40 is slid to the left in the
recess 32 and approaches a position where the male connector 47
engages the female connector 48, the protective cover 49 reaches
the surface of the auxiliary louver housing the female connector
48. Thus, when the male connector 47 is energized, a gap between
the ion generating unit 40 and the left inner surface of the recess
32 is eliminated to prevent a finger from entering the male
connector 47.
[0115] After the ion generating unit 40 is slid to the left end of
the recess 32 and the connectors 47 and 48 engage each other, as
shown in FIG. 11, the movement regulating member 38 is pivoted to
the regulation position to regulate sliding of the ion generating
unit 40. This can ensure connection of the connectors 47 and
48.
[0116] An elastic hook 38b is formed at an end of the movement
regulating member 38, and a receiving section 39 of the elastic
hook 38b is formed in a position facing the movement regulating
member 38 on a front inner surface of the recess 32. When the
movement regulating member 38 is placed in the regulation position,
the elastic hook 38b engages the receiving section 39, and the
movement regulating member 38 maintains the regulation
position.
[0117] When the ion generating unit 40 is detached from the
auxiliary louver 30, the elastic hook 38b is disengaged from the
receiving section 39 to bring the movement regulating member 38
into the release position, and then the ion generating unit 40 is
slid to the right side in the lateral direction A to the position
of the vertical guiding path 36 (the same state in FIG. 7). The ion
generating unit 40 is raised toward the surface in that position,
and thus the protrusion 34 is disengaged from the vertical guiding
path 37, and the ion generating unit 40 can be detached from the
auxiliary louver 30.
[0118] At this time, if an inexperienced operator moves the ion
generating unit 40 so that the protrusion 34 abuts against the
right end of the lateral guiding path 37, as shown in FIG. 12, the
protrusion 34 passes over the vertical guiding path 36 and stops in
the second lateral guiding path 37b on the side opposite to the
first lateral guiding path 37a. This prevents the ion generating
unit 40 from being unexpectedly detached from the recess 32.
[0119] In this case, to detach the ion generating unit from the
recess, the ion generating unit 40 may be slightly moved back to
the left, the protrusion 34 may be aligned with a connecting
position of the vertical guiding path 36, and the protrusion 34 may
be drawn out therefrom through the vertical guiding path. The above
configuration is particularly useful when the air-conditioning
device is placed in an indoor upper position, and an operator looks
up and detaches the ion generating unit.
[0120] As such, the vertical guiding path 36 is connected to the
midpoint of the lateral guiding path 37, and thus when the
protrusion 34 abuts against the end of the lateral guiding path 37,
the protrusion 34 has passed over the vertical guiding path 36.
Thus, the protrusion 34 is held in the lateral guiding path 37 and
not detached from the recess 32.
[0121] Next, the configuration of the ion generating unit 40 will
be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 13, the ion generating
unit 40 includes an ion generating element 41, a power supply input
connector 47, a drive circuit 43, a high voltage generating circuit
44, a positive high voltage generating circuit 45, and a negative
high voltage generating circuit 46, which are housed in a casing
42.
[0122] As shown in FIG. 14, the ion generating element 41 includes
an induction electrode 51, discharge electrodes 52, and a substrate
53. The discharge electrode 52 has a needle-like tip. The substrate
53 has through holes 53a through which the discharge electrodes 52
are inserted, and through holes 53b through which insertion
portions 51d2 of a substrate insertion section 51d are
inserted.
[0123] The needle-like discharge electrodes 52 are inserted or
press-fitted into the through holes 53a and passed through and
supported by the substrate 53. Thus, one needle-like end of the
discharge electrode 52 protrudes on a front surface of the
substrate 53, and to the other end protruding on a back surface of
the substrate 53, a lead wire or a wiring pattern can be
electrically connected by solder 54.
[0124] The insertion portions 51d2 of the induction electrode 51
are inserted into the through holes 53b and passed through and
supported by the substrate 53. To a tip of the insertion portion
51d2 protruding on a back surface of the substrate 53, a lead wire
or a wiring pattern can be electrically connected by solder 54.
[0125] With the induction electrode 51 being supported by the
substrate 53, a step between a support portion 51d1 and the
insertion portion 51d2 abuts against the front surface of the
substrate 53. Thus, a top section 51a of the induction electrode 51
is supported at a predetermined distance from the substrate 53. A
tip of a substrate support section 51e of the induction electrode
51 secondarily abuts against the front surface of the substrate 53.
Specifically, the induction electrode 51 can be positioned in a
thickness direction of the substrate 53 using the substrate
insertion section 51d and the substrate support section 51e.
[0126] With the induction electrode 51 being supported by the
substrate 53, the discharge electrode 52 is placed so that a
needle-like tip thereof is positioned at the center of the circular
through hole 51h, and positioned within a range of a thickness of a
peripheral edge of the through hole 51b (that is, a bending length
of a bent section 51c).
[0127] In order to release both positive and negative ions, a
needle-like tip position of the discharge electrode 52 that
generates positive ions and a needle-like tip position of the
discharge electrode 52 that generates negative ions are placed with
a predetermined distance therebetween, the tips are aligned with
the center of the through holes 51b in the induction electrode 51,
and placed within the thickness range of the through holes 51b in
the induction electrode 51 so that the induction electrode 51 and
the needle-like tips of the discharge electrodes 52 face each other
with an air space therebetween.
[0128] In the ion generating element 41, the plate-like induction
electrode 51 and the needle-like discharge electrodes 52 are placed
with the predetermined distance therebetween as described above,
and a high voltage is applied to between the induction electrode 51
and the discharge electrodes 52. Then, corona discharge occurs at
the tips of the needle-like discharge electrodes 52. The corona
discharge generates at least either positive ions or negative ions,
and the ions are released from the through hole 51b provided in the
induction electrode 51 to an outside of the ion generating element
41. Further, air is blown to allow the ions to be more effectively
released.
[0129] The positive ion is a cluster ion which is a hydrogen
ion(H.sup.+) with a plurality of water molecules around the
hydrogen ion, and represented as H.sup.+(H.sub.2O).sub.m (m is an
arbitrary natural number). The negative ion is a cluster ion which
is a oxygen ion(O.sub.2.sup.-) with a plurality of water molecules
around the oxygen ion, and represented as
O.sub.2.sup.-(H.sub.2O).sub.n (n is an arbitrary natural
number).
[0130] Both the positive and negative ions are released, and thus
H.sup.+(H.sub.2O).sub.m (m is an arbitrary natural number) as
positive ions in the air and O.sub.2.sup.-(H.sub.2O).sub.n (n is an
arbitrary natural number) as negative ions substantially of the
same amount are generated. Thus, the positive and negative ions
surround mold or viruses suspended in the air, and can remove the
suspended mold or the like by action of a hydroxide radical
(.cndot.OH) of activated species generated at that time.
[0131] In the ion generating device, positive corona discharge is
caused at the tip of one discharge electrode 52 to generate
positive ions, and negative corona discharge is caused at the tip
of the other discharge electrode 52 to generate negative ions. Any
waveform may be herein applied, and a waveform of a high voltage
such as a DC, an AC waveform biased to positive or negative, or a
pulse waveform biased to positive or negative may be applied. A
voltage value is selected within a voltage range sufficient for
causing discharge and generating predetermined ion species.
[0132] The ion generating device may generate other ion species,
not limited to the ion species in this embodiment, and may
generate, for example, negative ions.
[0133] To the power supply input connector 47, DC power or
commercial AC power as input power is supplied through the
connector 48. The drive circuit 43 to which the input voltage is
supplied through the power supply input connector 47 drives the
high voltage generating circuit 44 to increase the input voltage to
generate high voltage. One end of the high voltage generating
circuit 44 is electrically connected to the induction electrode 51.
The high voltage generating circuit 44 applies a high voltage of
positive polarity to the induction electrode 51 through the
positive high voltage generating circuit 45 to the needle-like
discharge electrode 52 that generates positive ions, and applies a
high voltage of negative polarity to the induction electrode 51
through the negative high voltage generating circuit 46 to the
needle-like discharge electrode 52 that generates negative
ions.
[0134] In the casing 42, the drive circuit 43, the high voltage
generating circuit 44, the positive high voltage generating circuit
45, and the negative high voltage generating circuit 46 are
provided at the center thereof, and the ion generating elements 41
are provided on left and right sides thereof. Specifically, the
drive circuit 43, the high voltage generating circuit 44, the
positive high voltage generating circuit 45, and the negative high
voltage generating circuit 46 are shared, and two needle-like
electrodes are connected to each of the positive high voltage
generating circuit 45 and the negative high voltage generating
circuit 46.
[0135] As shown in FIG. 8, with the ion generating unit 40 being
mounted to the auxiliary louver 30, the casing 42 of the ion
generating unit 40 includes a lower casing 42a housed in the recess
32, and an upper casing 42b protruding from the surface of the
auxiliary louver 30 and having a space therein with reference to an
opening position of the recess 32 (a position shown by a
dash-double-dot line in the drawing).
[0136] The upper casing 42b has openings 42c and 42c formed on
upstream and downstream sides of wind W flowing along the surface
of the auxiliary louver 30, and a space in the upper casing 42b is
a ventilation path 57 through which the wind W passes. The ion
generating element 41 is provided to face the ventilation path 57
in the lower casing 42a.
[0137] In the above configuration, ions generated from the ion
generating element 41 are diffused into the air in the ventilation
path 57, and introduced into the wind W and smoothly released to
the outside when the wind W blown out from the air outlet 5 passes
through the ventilation path 57.
[0138] In the opening 42c, a guard member 58 is provided that
guards a finger from entering the ventilation path 57. The guard
member 58 in this embodiment is elongated vertical bars. The guard
member 58 has tapered front and rear ends, and has a shape with low
air resistance so as to minimize disturbance of a flow of wind
flowing in the ventilation path 57.
[0139] In this embodiment, a gap between windward vertical bars 58a
is narrow, and a gap between leeward vertical bars 58b is wide.
This is to prevent a finger from touching the discharge electrode
52 for safety because the discharge electrode 52 of the ion
generating element 41 is closer to the windward vertical bars 58a
than the leeward vertical bars 58b. Further, the windward vertical
bars 58a has a function of reducing strength of the wind W
introduced into the ventilation path 57. This allows ions generated
from the ion generating element 41 to be sufficiently diffused into
the air in the ventilation path 57.
[0140] Meanwhile, the leeward vertical bars 58b has a wide space of
the vertical bars 58b so as not to interfere with generated ions.
This can provide advantages of safety and preventing generated ions
from abutting against the vertical bars 58b and disappearing.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 13, the discharge electrode 52 connected to
the positive high voltage generating circuit 45 is a positive ion
generating section 55 that generates positive ions, and the
discharge electrode 52 connected to the negative high voltage
generating circuit 46 is a negative ion generating section 56 that
generates negative ions. FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the
ion generating unit with the upper casing 42b being removed. As
shown, in this embodiment, the positive ion generating section 55
and the negative ion generating section 56 are formed with a space
therebetween in the lateral direction A. This can prevent a
reduction in the number of ions being carried in a flow of air.
[0142] As another aspect of arrangement of the discharge electrodes
52, as shown in FIG. 16, the positive ion generating sections 55
and the negative ion generating sections 56 may be separately
provided at left and right of the casing 42. Specifically, in this
aspect, two discharge electrodes 52 connected to the positive high
voltage generating circuit 45 and two discharge electrodes 52
connected to the negative high voltage generating circuit 46 are
collectively placed either at the left or right. This aspect is
particularly useful when the casing may have a sufficiently long
lateral length. Thus, the left and right ion generating sections
can be separated as much as possible, thereby more efficiently
preventing the positive and negative ions from contacting and
disappearing.
[0143] In the air conditioner, an unshown outdoor unit is provided
outdoor with respect to an indoor unit. The outdoor unit houses a
compressor, a heat exchanger, a four-way valve, an outdoor fan, or
the like, and these components and the heat exchanger 1 in the
indoor unit constitute a refrigeration cycle. A control section
that controls driving of the refrigeration cycle, the wind guide
panel 20, the auxiliary louver, or the like is provided in the
indoor unit.
[0144] The control section constituted by a microcomputer controls
the refrigeration cycle based on a user's instructions and
detection signals of various sensors such as temperature sensors
that detects a room temperature or an outside air temperature, and
performs cooling and heating operations. At this time, the control
section controls an opening/closing mechanism according to the
cooling/heating operation to open/close the wind guide panel 20,
and drives the auxiliary louver 30 according thereto. The control
section controls the cleaning device 8 to clean the filter 7
regularly or according to a user's instructions.
[0145] An operation of the auxiliary louver 30 will be described in
detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the auxiliary louver 30 can be housed
in a space in the air outlet 5 in an upward position in contact
with the upper wall 5a, and the wind guide panel 20 can be
closed.
[0146] If the wind guide panel 20 is detached in the closed
position of the wind guide panel 20, the upper casing 42b of the
ion generating unit 40 is directed downward. Thus, the ion
generating unit 40 can be replaced without moving the auxiliary
louver 30. Depending on models of the air-conditioning device, if
the wind guide panel 20 is removed in the closed position of the
wind guide panel 20, the upper casing 42b of the ion generating
unit may be directed upward.
[0147] In this case, when the ion generating unit is replaced, for
example, an ion generating unit replacement time button may be
provided in a remote controller or the like so that when the button
is pushed, the auxiliary louver 30 is operated and the upper casing
42b of the ion generating unit is directed downward.
[0148] The control section controls driving of the louver motor so
that the auxiliary louver 30 is placed in a downward position with
an angle with respect to the flow of the wind W to change a
direction of wind in an upwardly opened position where a lower end
of the wind guide panel 20 is opened forward around the upper pivot
23. Also, the control section controls driving of the louver motor
so that the auxiliary louver 30 is directed in parallel with the
flow of the wind W in a downwardly opened position where an upper
end of the wind guide panel 20 is opened downward around the lower
pivot 22.
[0149] More specifically, in the upwardly opened position of the
wind guide panel 20, the control section controls the position of
the auxiliary louver 30 so that the auxiliary louver 30 closes the
front side of the air outlet 5, and holds air blown out forward and
guides the air downward.
[0150] FIG. 4 shows an example in which the auxiliary louver 30 is
directed with an angle with respect to the flow of the wind in the
upwardly opened position of the wind guide panel. As shown, when
the auxiliary louver 30 is placed in the downward position with
respect to the wind W blown out forward from the air outlet 5
through the air passage 6, the wind W directly blows against a
lower surface of the auxiliary louver 30, that is, a surface to
which the ion generating unit 40 is mounted. At this time, when the
wind W directly blows against the ion generating element, most of
the ions may be pressed against the surface of the auxiliary louver
30 and disappear.
[0151] However, an upper portion of the ion generating element 41
is covered with the upper casing 42b as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the
wind W does not directly blow against the ion generating element.
Meanwhile, the wind W having blown against the auxiliary louver 30
is changed in direction and introduced into the ventilation path
57, and presses out the ions generated in the ventilation path 57
toward a downstream side along the surface of the auxiliary louver
30. This allows the positive and negative ions to be introduced
into the wind W and efficiently released to a distance.
[0152] FIG. 3 shows an example in which the auxiliary louver 30 is
directed in parallel with the flow of the wind W in the downwardly
opened position of the wind guide panel. In this example, the wind
guide panel 20 is pivoted downward around the lower pivot 22 to a
substantially horizontal position. Specifically, in the downwardly
opened position, the wind guide panel 20 is connected to the lower
wall of the air outlet 5, and the wind guide panel 20 and the upper
wall 5a of the air outlet 5 constitute a long nozzle. Thus, the
wind guide panel 20 can guide the wind obliquely upward, and blow
out the wind along the ceiling to a distance. At this time, the
auxiliary louver 30 is directed in parallel with the flow of the
wind W, and thus the wind W is introduced into the ventilation path
57 without changing a direction, and acts to guide the air blown
out from the air outlet 5 to a distance together with ions.
[0153] In this embodiment, the protrusion on the guide mechanism is
formed in the ion generating unit, and the guide section is formed
in the recess, but not limited to this, the protrusion may be
formed in the recess, and the guide section may be formed in the
ion generating unit.
[0154] In this embodiment, the separate air conditioner is used as
an air conditioner for description, but the present invention may
be applied to a wind direction changing plate of an air cleaner, or
a wind direction changing plate of a cool air fan that blows out
cool air using vaporization heat.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0155] The present invention can be conveniently used as an
air-conditioning device (air blower, air conditioner, air cleaner,
humidifier, dehumidifier, cooler, heater, or the like) that can
blow out ions together with air from an air outlet.
* * * * *